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I spent a lot of time designing and modelling this simplistic carving. The "Spirit of the Hawk" is emerging from the earth through the trunk of the Easter White Cedar. Started as a six ft. 500 pound log. I am sharing the pattern on my website at: chainsawcarve.ca/patterns http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg231/jkubara/IMG_2253_zps01f8a98f.jpg

Well I found the Canadian supplier from Tsumura's Facebook page. He does cannot sell me this bar because he would have to order in quantity. Catch 22? Next stop USA? I will check with Brian Ruth. PS I met Brian this past winter at a carving event in Orlando, Florida. Wish me luck!!!

Any idea where I might buy a tsumara bar in Canada?

Valid point to do as much as you can with the saw. The more you do the better you will get. Having said that my Arbortec is indispensable. It allows me to add detail that the saw is not capable of. It also weighs less. The proxxon and other similar carvers do not have the same power. However, I use the king Arthur Disk on my Arbortec. I use it a lot for feathering and furring. I recently was doing a demo of an eagle and feathered one side with the arbortec and the other with the dime tip. Saw was faster, Arbotec allowed me to undercut the feather. Next eagle I will combine the two for best and fastest feathering. I am looking forward to somebody making a dime tip for my MS150 and then I will likely use the saw more than the Arbortec. LOVE MY 150!!!! Russ chainsawcarve.ca

Great start! I look forward to your posts of the progress steps. Thanks for posting.

"Naught at all". We had a group carving spirit faces in standing trees. One had top handled arborist saws and wished he hadn't. If you are using top handles you should try rear.

Rear handled saws are better for control of the tip when carving.

Saws can be rated in RPM or ft/second, meters/sec, cutters/minute all based on the motor speed/sprocket size. How does a shorter bar increase chain speed? Chainsaw "racers" use oversized rims to get more chain speed.

I use anti vibration work gloves. I have neurapathy (small nerve damage) inmy hands and the gloves make a big difference. The best Av gloves I have found available are cycling gloves. Well fitted leather gloves are best when angle grinding (kick back) but I have not been able to find leather AV.

The Makita 5012B is a high speed electric that can be fit with 1/4 pitch drive but it does not have an automatic oiler and does not have an "in line" motor, which can be cumbersome. The Stihl MSE series can be fit with a 1/4" sprocket (but is not variable speed?). I have converted a Makita 15 amp electric saw (Dolmar is the same saw.) with a 1/4 pitch Dolmar Sprocket and an oversized rim to increase chain speed. I use a Cannon dime tip on that saw. The conversion is a bit tricky and requires a vertical press (or two vices, one to hold the other vertical).

"Low power and dime bar you won't go wrong with detail .." I can't agree more!! At our three day beginner carving camp in June, I put my 5 lb. MS150 into the hands of lady with a weak arm, that had never even run a saw before. She carved an owl, an eagle and a small bear. The next day she went out and bought one. $350, "pro" quality saw, easy to control, and worth every penny. It will also double as an excellent "trimming saw" for yard work.

Not an easy question. Depends on your chainsaw experience, your budget and the size of the logs you want to carve. I have made some recommendations on my website based on beginner, low budget, safety first. I also post patterns based on 12-16 inch logs, suitable for beginners. ROOSTER chainsawcarve.ca

I have been favouring my MS150 over my dime tip saw. The less aggressive .043 micro chain reduces the chance of over cutting in tight places and gives me better control. There are several bars that can come with it. I use the 12” (3005 008 3405) 3005 mount. The tip is equivalent to a "quarter tip". THIS IS WHAT STIHL WRITES ABOUT THE CHAIN For use with chain saws and pole pruners using the ¼” STIHL PICCO™ saw chain and with power up to 1.0 kW, the STIHL ROLLOMATIC® E Mini guide bar is great for pruning, firewood cutting and storm cleanup. The small radius bar nose with reduced diameter sprocket provides enhanced maneuverability while pruning among branches and lessens risk of kickback. Available in 10” (3005 008 3403) and 12” (3005 008 3405) 3005 mount. Accepts drive links of .043 gauge (1.1 mm). STIHL PICCO™ Micro™ Mini 3 (PMM3) saw chain is a low-kickback, narrow kerf, low-profile chain ideal for smaller chain saws. It is very smooth-cutting and features lightweight cutters that allow more power to be available for cutting. This semi-chisel chain does not usually get dull as fast as full-chisel chain in normal use and is slightly easier to maintain and sharpen. It is specifically designed for corded electric-, battery- and gasoline-powered chain saws or pole pruners with less than 1.5kW (2.0 bhp) of power output. Applications: The PMM3 chain is ideal for small branches and general cleanup and maintenance around the home. Professionals requiring plunge-cutting should use this chain as well. STIHL recommends using low-kickback, green-labeled chain and green-labeled reduced-kickback bars on all powerheads. 1/4" PICCO Pitch - Part #3670

I have several lists. Things I have carved. Things I want to carve. People I have carved for. People who want me to carve. I make blocking patterns to establish proportions and study the subject. Before I start I decide if it will be realistic or "characteristic". Either way you need to study the subject. I sketch, model in clay, sometimes photograph the model and photoshop the model into a line graphic. I use a grid based pattern Seems like a lot of work but I do it to share it. I post my patterns FREE at: chainsawcarve.ca

I have made a Google Map of chainsaw carving events in North America and have now added world events as well. https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=214224337871788685030.0004dc617af27877a481b&msa=0&ll=27.994401,-19.511719&spn=105.398354,228.339844 If I have missed any UK event please let me know and I will add it. ROOSTER chainsaw carving beginner basics simple chainsaw carving patterns projects 101 quick carve whiteshell clear lake winnipeg manitoba canada hackensack competition agassiz chainsaw sculptors

If you are willing to travel, we have one open space in a three day beginner camp June 7-9. Use google maps to find us. hadashville manitoba - Google Maps chainsaw carving beginner basics simple chainsaw carving patterns projects 101 quick carve whiteshell clear lake winnipeg manitoba canada hackensack competition agassiz chainsaw sculptors

I use all kinds of chainsaws power tools for carving and I would not use that tool, especially not without the gaurd. They do kick and often go right for the jugular. If it does not have a deadman's switch (most don't) they are even more dangerous if they catch a finger or a glove. Most often they "twist" in your hand and grind off a good bit of flesh before you can react! A friend recently bought a similar tool and I "begged" him to return it! He listened. You should too!

Hugs and Kisses is correct. I was carving valentine hearts and put XXX on them and was very quickly corrected by women. I changed it to XOX and was critiqued again as it had to be XOXO. Fortunately I had room for the extra hug! (or is a hug?)

Good job. Love the heart! Just needs: XOXO on the face of it! (assuming it means the same in England as in America?)

Defining the letters consists of horizontal cuts between the letters and plunge cuts for the shorter lines. I really should do one and take some sequence pics. ROOSTER

The vertical (can also be horizontal) log sign letters were all chainsaw and no chisel. I developed the font especially for chainsaw. 1. Flatten the face of the log 2. Outline the "block" of letters to a consistent depth (2"??) 3. Bevel from the outside edge of the flat to the 2" cut (under cut the "block" but just a little 4. Finish defining the letter faces 5. Sand the faces smooth and finish. You can find the font pattern on chainsawcarve.ca

Great job GeeSaw! Do I recognize the block out from my pattern posted on chainsawcarve.ca ?? If so I am pleased to see your interpretation. Other FREE chainsaw carving patterns are posted there to share. My patterns are meant to be for block out and it is up to the carver to study the subject and interpret their own way. Setting the proportions at the start is very important. ROOSTER

I like to burn my eagles to add color. Spar Varnish (natural wood color) for feet and beak. White painted or highlighted head and tail feathers. http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg231/jkubara/PERCHEDEAGLE.jpg I use a propane torch and burn until charred a dark brown. Have water handy to put out excessive "fire". I then brush off the char with a stiff brush or brush wheel. This method enhances the wood grain. ROOSTER